Amarillo High's Glen Warrick slides safely into second base after Tascosa's Craig Davis is late with the tag during the first inning of their District 2-5A game Saturday at Sandie Field. AHS defeated the Rebels, 6-2, for its first district victory.

Amarillo High third baseman Luke Down fields a ground ball before completing a force out at first base during the third inning of their District 2-5A baseball game Saturday at Sandie Field. AHS defeated the Rebels, 6-2, for its first district victory.

In the first of what will be three meetings this season, Amarillo High and Tascosa had a sense of urgency entering Saturday’s game at Sandie Field, as both teams were looking to get into the District 2-5A win column.

Considering both were coming off losses less than 24 hours earlier, neither team could claim much momentum. But if you believe that old baseball adage about momentum being the next day’s starting pitcher, then the Sandies were in the best shape.

Senior right-hander Grant Phifer gave another strong pitching performance for Amarillo High, giving up only three hits in laying the foundation for a 6-2 win against Tascosa. This came on the heels of a 3-2 loss to Lubbock Monterey, where the Sandies (13-7, 1-1 in district) gave up only two hits.

Whatever issues the Sandies may have this year, it doesn’t appear that pitching is one of them.

“The turnaround was quick but the kids focused and ended up playing well,” AHS coach Jeff Timmons said. “I’ll take this every time. When Amarillo High and Tascosa play it’s conducive to a good game.”

And that’s what it was through the first four innings, as the two teams were tied 2-2 and Phifer and Tascosa starter Thomas McIlraith looked in control on the mound.

Tascosa (8-12, 0-3) started with promise, as Craig Davis lined Phifer’s first pitch to left-center for a double. Davis eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by McIlraith, but after that, all the Rebels could manage off Phifer was two singles and an unearned run in the third that tied it 2-2.

Phifer didn’t have an overpowering game as he struck out only two, but he did it with a minimum of pitches, throwing only 87.

“Even though it was a lot of pressure today, I could focus because I know there’s somebody behind me ready to go,” said Phifer, 4-1 on the season. “It’s just whoever’s hot at the time.”

That’s been most of the Sandies’ pitching staff, as in the loss to Monterey, Chuck Cook, Luke Downs and Dylan Gadberry combined to give up only two hits. The problem for the Sandies through the first 11 innings of district play was hitting, as they had four runs on five hits.

But with two on and two out in the bottom of the fifth, the Sandies got that big hit they so desperately needed. Junior Ryan Sluder hit a ball deep into the gap in left-center that just eluded Tascosa center fielder Beau Gray, bringing home two runs and giving Amarillo High a 4-2 lead.

“I’m thinking I’ve got to step up right here and be a leader,” said Sluder, a returning junior starter who’s also a two-way starter in football. “It’s always a thrill to play against Tascosa in any sport.”

Tascosa is now in an unenviable position, as the Rebels are alone in last place in the district, 1 1/2 games out of the fourth and final playoff spot. There’s time turn things around, but results must come soon.

“Winning teams find ways to win and we’ve got to find a way to win,” Tascosa coach Jason Patrick said. “Baseball’s a game of momentum and everybody needs to feed off each other.”